How to Train your Dog to Rollover
Now you have mastered basic dog obedience training – the sit, drop and stay from our articles over the last couple of weeks. It can be fun and useful to train your dog to lie on its side and then to rollover.
Remember to make your dog training fun and only do short amounts at a time to keep your dog interested and happy.
On Your Side
As is the case with most dog obedience and fun tricks, you train your dog progressively. Having a dog that lies on its side on command is useful for cutting its nails or checking your dog over for any problems. It is also a natural position for a dog so it should be quite an easy command to teach. Your dog also needs to know ‘on your side’ as part of the rollover command.
Watch this video
http://au.youtube.com/watch?v=xPH5d-VD16w
Have your treats ready before you start and find a soft spot for your dog to lie on – the carpet or nice grassy area. Put your dog into the drop position then hold the hand with the treat in it close to your dog’s nose. Next, move your hand down their body and when they follow your hand, they naturally drop onto their side. This is because the movement takes advantage of how they lie on their side naturally. When they obey and drop onto their side, leave them there for a few seconds and then release them and give lavish praise and reward.
Practice this consistently and leave them in the position longer each time. You will eventually be able to teach your dog to stay in this position as well.
How to Train your dog to Rollover
Now your dog understands the ‘on your side command’ you can move on to rollover. Give the ‘on your side’ command. Get a food treat and give the command ‘rollover’. Move the food slowly over the dog’s nose, then slowly down the dog’s body and in the direction you want it to rollover in. As I do this, I may tickle the dog’s tummy the first few times to encourage it to lift a back leg. I then gently encourage the movement to continue until it rolls over.
As soon as your dog rolls over give it praise and the treat. Now train you dog to rollover in the other direction. Use the same method but in the opposite direction. Having a dog that rolls over is very handing when you want it to move its position. Instead of you having to physically move the dog, it will happily obey your command to rollover.
Always remember to reinforce your dog’s good behavior and make all dog training a lot of fun. A well balanced dog is a happy dog.
